South Sudan Decrees Reshape Western Equatoria Leadership
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reshuffled the Western Equatoria State government, appointing new state ministers, county commissioners and members of independent commissions, according to decrees announced on Friday.
The Republican Decrees were signed by the president in Juba on Wednesday and later announced in the state capital, Yambio. All officials involved in the changes are members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Western Equatoria Ministers: Key Portfolios Reassigned
Four ministers were relieved of their duties: Letecia Benito Gbafu from Agriculture; Emmanuel Emmy Lavirick from Transport, Roads and Bridges; Mande Daniel from Education; and Mariam Naumba from Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism.
In their place, the decrees appointed Nagomoro Simon as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment; Elia Richard Box as Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges; Gibson Wilson Wande as Minister of Education, Science and Technology; and Latecia Ambrose Kinawo Kindi as Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Tourism.
County Commissioners Appointed in Yambio, Maridi, Mundri East
The changes also affected county leadership. Michael Ismail was relieved as Commissioner of Yambio County, Mirri Alfred as Commissioner of Maridi County, and John Henry Galumu as Commissioner of Mundri East County.
New commissioners were named as Bakote Mborigba for Yambio County, Daniel Salah Balesh for Maridi County, and Charles Koro Elikana for Mundri East County, according to the decrees announced in Yambio.
Independent Commissions Get New Appointees
Several appointments were also made to independent commissions. Michael Ismail, the former Yambio County Commissioner, was named Chairperson of the Employees’ Justice Chamber.
Paul Awari Avuru was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Commission, while Jurum Kumba was named a Member of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission. Hon. Richard Malish Kumbo was appointed as a Member of the Conflict Resolution Commission.
SPLM-Linked Appointments Highlight Internal Administrative Rotation
With all named officials drawn from the SPLM, the reshuffle reflects an internal rotation of administrative responsibilities within the ruling party’s structures in Western Equatoria State.
For residents and local institutions, attention is likely to focus on how the new office holders manage day-to-day service delivery and coordination across key sectors such as education, transport, agriculture, and public health.